The Vessertal-Thüringen Forest is a biosphere reserve located in the Thuringian forest and is crossed by the famous German hiking trail ‘Rennsteig’. The biosphere reserve is part of Thuringian Forest Nature Park and comprises mainly large contiguous mountain spruce forests. Furthermore, beech forests, block and rock forest communities, high-elevation raised bogs can be found. Upland, low-lying and valley meadows reflect the extensive use by people for dairy cow raising. The entire biosphere reserve has been designated as Natura 2000 site and European Bird Protection Area because of black grouse and black stork populations.The biosphere reserve is only sparsely populated . The area is also important for the protection of water resources. Activities in the transition area are agriculture, fish farming, commerce and retail, forestry, glass manufacture and crafts. Tourism is a major source of income in the region.